Sir Richard Branson has warned that striking Virgin Atlantic pilots would leave “an indelible scar on the company”. Balpa, the pilots’ union, is set to announce strike dates from Tuesday unless a dispute over pay is resolved.

Representatives from the British Air Line Pilots Association have reported “some progress” in attempts to resolve a disagreement with Virgin Atlantic following talks in London. The two sides are in dispute over holiday entitlement at the airline, with the threat of strike action looming.

Thousands of flights from the UK could be cancelled due to a dispute between pilots and the Government over identity cards.The British Airline Pilots Association has said that its members would refuse to co-operate with Home Office over plans to use airside workers as “guinea pigs” for the new cards.